joi, 8 decembrie 2016

President Bashar al-Assad says Aleppo win would mark a huge step in ending Syrian civil war

International Business Times

Dec 8, 2016

As Syrian government forces advance towards Aleppo, seizing control of key neighbourhoods from rebel forces, President Bashar al-Assad is looking forward to a major victory that would change the course of the five-year civil war. In an interview with Syrian daily Al-Watan to be published on Thursday (8 December), Assad cautioned that a victory in the second-largest Syrian city would not mean a complete end to the ongoing war against rebel factions that want him removed from power. "It's true that Aleppo will be a win for us, but let's be realistic – it won't mean the end of the war in Syria. Read More

ISIS Hostage Video Shows Mosul War

ISIS is estimated to have up to 6,000 fighters in Mosul. The operation to retake Mosul from ISIS began in October.

International Business Times

Iraqi army mistakenly bombs civilians in ISIL-held city

At least 52 people - including many women and children - have been killed when air strikes by Iraqi forces mistakenly targeted civilians gathering in the ISIL-held western city of al-Qaim, military officials told Al Jazeera. Dozens of other people reportedly waiting for their salaries outside an exchange facility and a livestock market were also wounded in Wednesday's air raid by Sukhoi fighter jets. Mohammed al-Karbouli, an Iraqi member of parliament in Anbar province, said in an official statement on his Facebook page it was not the first time civilians have been bombed by the Iraqi air force. "We demand the government to establish an investigation commission to find out who is behind these

Al Jazeera

John Kelly, the Marine General to head Homeland Security

John Kelly, the Marine Corps general reportedly picked by Donald Trump to be Homeland Security secretary, will be the new administration's lead figure as it pursues the president-elect's goal of boosting the fight against Islamic extremists and illegal immigration. The third general chosen for Trump's cabinet, Kelly spent 45 years in the Marines, holding a range of positions from field commands in Iraq to political liaison in Congress before finishing his career as commander of the US armed forces Southern Command covering Central and South America.

AFP

Afghanistan to investigate alleged growing military relations between Taliban and Russia

Afghanistan is concerned about the alleged support Russia is providing the Taliban in the country. The national senate has announced that it is planning to launch an investigation into the scale of the military relations between the insurgents, Russia and Iran. The Taliban has been attempting to topple the government in the country and leaders in Kabul believe that Moscow could be providing them with arms and funds.